EXCLUSIVE: 47% cite mental health as major cause of sickness absence

EXCLUSIVE: Mental health issues have risen as a major cause of sickness absence in respondents’ organisations, from 39% to 47% over the past year, according to research by Employee Benefits and Health Shield.

Musculoskeletal ailments have decreased as a major cause of sickness absence by eight percentage points, down to 30% in 2018.

There are few other significant changes to the major causes of absence, beyond some fluctuations year-on-year, such as work accidents rising by 4%, and work-life balance problems and quality of management both rising by 3%.